Music program to host carnival
By Michelle Knight

knight@theacorn.com

Things are looking up for the beleaguered music program at Simi Valley High School.

Its band of loyal supporters, the music booster club, won’t passively watch as the program endures budget cuts, poor support and music director turnover. They’re determined to restore the marching band and orchestra, the heart of the school’s program, to the luster the programs enjoyed two decades ago.

With that goal in mind, Cindy Slack, booster president, and her peers are hosting a benefit carnival, which starts today and runs through Sunday. Although admission is free, the music program benefits from the sale of tickets to the rides.

The bands will get 15 percent

The SVHS music program needs $82,000 to stay afloat. Slack, who has a son in the program, said the boosters won’t depend on students to sell things to raise money because it detracts from schoolwork. And although they’ve tried to drum up donations from local businesses, they’ve found that retailers and other enterprises have been overwhelmed with requests from other worthy causes.

“They told us they’ve cut back on donations because they don’t have the means to donate to everybody,” Slack said.

With old band instruments that desperately need adjustments and service work, the carnival could be an answer. Slack said she’s heard of schools making as much as $30,000 through an annual carnival, although she doesn’t expect it this time.

“We’re just testing the waters here,” she said. “I’d be thankful if we made $3,000 this year.”

And the boosters are motivated by a new principal and a newly hired music director. They’re enthusiastic about rebuilding the program.

Roger Brooks is a 10-year veteran music teacher who comes to Simi Valley High from Whittier school district.

“I think Simi Valley High is the kind of school that could have a really great band,” he said. “My job will be to see how we can make it (happen). . . . It should be a lot of fun.”

The carnival is scheduled for 4 to 10 p.m. today and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday at Simi Valley High School, 5400 Cochran St.

For more information or details on other fundraisers, such as this fall’s rummage sale or the battle of the bands on Oct. 22, please visit the website at www.svhsmusicboosters.org or call Cindy Slack at (805) 2079206.